An adaption of one of E.M Forster’s most famous and celebrated novels returned to Cambridge this week in a major new stage adaptation of A Room with a View.

Felicity Kendal, who shot to fame in The Good Life, stars as prim spinster Charlotte Bartlett in the new production which opened on Monday at Cambridge Arts Theatre.

The play centres around her sister English rose Lucy Honeychurch, who has a romance with a man from the lower classes whose family take a house in the next village.

On Tuesday (November 15), Ms Kendal and other cast members visited the former home of E.M Forster, which is now the Graduate Common Room at King’s College where he studied between 1897 and 1901.

The Cast of Room with a View who are at the Cambridge Arts Theatre and have been to Kings College in Cambridge. (Image: Keith Jones)

During his time at King’s, Forster did not live in college housing in his first year, but then lived for two years in the Bodley’s building, and the fourth and final year on King’s Parade.

A spokesman for Cambridge Arts Theatre said: “We are delighted to have this brilliant new production of A Room with a View on our stage this week. E.M. Forster actually spent a lot of his time in Cambridge, and was elected a fellow of Kings College in 1946.

E.M Forster at his room in King's College, which is now the graduate common room (Image: Edward Leigh)

“Because of this wonderful connection, King’s College staff gave the cast a tour of the grounds and the Graduate Common Room, where E.M. Forster once lived.”

A Room with a View is widely recognised as one of the finest novels of the 20th century, and in 1985 was adapted into an award-winning Merchant Ivory film adaptation starring Maggie Smith and Helena Bonham Carter.

The view from the common room. (Image: Keith Jones)

Speaking to the News previously, Ms Kendal said she has fond memories of Cambridge having performed there several times before.

“I love it because I know the theatre, I know the place, I know where I am staying. I know where I walk with the dog. It’s like being at home!” she said.

The Cast of Room with a View who are at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. (Image: Keith Jones)

“It’s a particularly wonderful audience at the Arts Theatre and I

think this will be a very interesting play to perform there because most of the audience will have read the novel.”

King’s College holds an extensive archive of Edward Morgan Forster’s papers including a collection of photos which show where the inspirations for his characters came from.

If you feel inspired to support the College Archives by contributing to the Munby Centenary Fund, call King’s Development Office for more details on 01223 331443.

A Room with a View runs until Saturday. For tickets, visit cambridgeartstheatre.com.